Why is it in every movie or TV show, when someone walks up to a podium mic it feeds back? Is that the industry standard for showing that a mic is live? While I know this can happen in reality, it doesn't happen as the movies make it out to be. It gives us sound guys (and podium mics) a bad rap.
Jokes aside, Countryman may have created the first podium mic that I could actually get excited about.
I think it's safe to assume that you have heard of Countryman microphones. They are a favorite in the theatre and church worlds for spoken word. I have been using their headset mics on pastors and presenters at the churches for years. They are the Kleenex of head-worn mics; everyone seems just to call them Countryman mics. Building on their reputation, Countryman is about to release a brand new podium mic, the A3 which incorporates several cool features.,This brand new product will begin shipping this month. As such, we don't yet have a review unit, but here's what we do know about the new A3
Features:
Switchable Polar Patterns - The A3 can switch between omni, cardioid, and hyper-cardioid depending on the user's specific application. This new switchable pattern feature is an improvement over their current podium mic which has to have the polar pattern specified at the time of order. Essentially this is giving you three mics in one capsule switchable via a small toggle switch in the base.
High SPL – Do you have a pastor that has a large dynamic range; sometimes at a whisper to draw everyone in and then crescendo with a thunderous conclusion to drive the point home? With a max SPL of 128 dB (A-weighted), the A3 should be able to handle the fire and brimstone.
Environment Cancellation – Do you have a presenter that can, “pop the P in pneumonia?” That's an old sound man's joke. To combat this, Countryman boasts a unique multi-stage noise reduction design that calms those pesky pops and heavy breath noises. Beyond the windscreen, it also features Active Plus Vibration Cancellation to help dampen podium and other handling noises.
RF Immunity – This is become more of an issue in recent years as our rooms are filling up with those invisible radio waves. Everything from wifi, cell phones, and wireless mics are fighting for spectrum in this world. While this mic is wired, it could pick up interference from these devices and transmit it back through the audio system. Countryman claims “Rigorous shielding and circuit design” to prevent this noise from entering through the A3.
Like many other podium mics, you still have the option of selecting three standard lengths depending on your needs. It appears to have three bend points allowing for optimal positioning, especially when switching between presenters of differing heights. It also ships with a hard-shell case for safe keeping while not in use.
If you're looking for that next podium mic for your pastor, it is in my experience that you cannot go wrong with Countryman. Look for a hands-on review in an upcoming issue of Church Production Magazine and at www.churchproduction.com.
